I looked over, surprised. “You have?” He’d admitted to watching more than just the one I’d shown him of The Incident, but I hadn’t imagined… I mean, at this point, there were a lot of videos to go through.
“Yeah. Leo was there, and I’m sure he’s a good cook or whatever”—Ha! I could just picture Leo’s face if he ever heard himself being referred to that way—“but…you—you were the one who carried it. You were—you are—funny. Smart. Lovable.” My heart stuttered at that word, but he kept right on going, “Have you thought about starting up a YouTube channel again? Just you, your grandma’s recipes, no filters or gimmicks.”
“No director. No associate producers…” It didn’t sound half bad. “I have thought about it. Just not sure what that would look like. What would I even call it?”
“Hmm…Dishing It Out?”
“Live Love Eat?” I stared out over the canyon again.
“Feast with Faraday.”
“Feast with Faraday…” I looked over at him again. “I like it.”
“I’ll be your first subscriber,” he said. “And your official taste-tester. I’m not letting you off the hook for that peach cobbler. I’ve been dreaming about that buttery crust for about eight hundred miles.”
I laughed. “You sure about that? It’ll ruin you for all other desserts.”
“Worth it.”
We watched the canyon’s shadows shift, the sun slowly spilling down its ancient walls. I was more than content. I felt empowered.
Limitless.
And maybe relieved.
Because he’d mentioned me cooking for him. Which meant we’d maybe see each other after this trip was over. And sure, he might’ve been joking, but most jokes carried a hint of truth in them, didn’t they?
“What about your meeting?” I asked. “Do you think you’ll stay at the hospital?”
He exhaled. “For now? Yeah. I think so. But something has to change. The way things are now… It’s not sustainable. Not for me anyway.”
“What if things don’t change?”
“I’ve looked into working at a few urgent care centers. Could maybe buy into a private practice. Or apply at smaller hospitals. Work somewhere with less…bureaucracy.”
“So, you have choices.”
He nodded, and I felt him relax beside me. “I do.”
“You could spend more time with Jumbo. So he doesn’t have to eat his feelings so much.”
Noah gave me a crooked smile. “Are you implying I’ve neglected my pets?”
“If the shoe fits.” I grinned. “Maybe your cat won’t go seeking attention from the neighbors.”
Noah chuckled and brushed his hand along my thigh. “What a concept. Spending time at home.”
I hesitated, for half a second. “You know I’m kidding, right? Being loved by you? It’s enough for them.”
He tilted his head, like he wanted to say something. But in the end, he just nodded.
I leaned my head against his shoulder, knowing it was okay.
Because right now. Honestly. This was enough.
THAT SINKING FEELING
There were still technically two more days before the tour was over. But as the Love Bus 2.0 crept down the glittering Vegas Strip, all pulsing lights and flashing signs, the energy inside had dulled to a low, tired hum. Everyone was quiet.
